Grading and loading apparatus



Aprilzs, 1929. E, R HENRY ET AL 1,710,477

GRADING AND LOADING APPARATUS April 23, 1929- E. P. HENRY ET Al.

GRADING' AND LADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 17, '1924 April23, 1929- E. P. HENRY ETAL 1,710,477

GRADING AND LOADING APPARATUS Filed March 17, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTORS ROLL/1 No@ ro/v ATTORNEYS April 23, 1929- E. P. HENRY ET ALGRADING AND LOADING APPARATUS Filed March l?, 1.924

5 Sheets-Sheet G INVENTORS oLLA fl. NOK To/v A/eoPHE/VRY BY fr@ATTORNEYS- Prl|23I929- E. P. HENRY ET AL GRADING AND LOADING APPARATUSFiled March 1'7, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A INVENTORS ATTORNEYS PatentedApr. 23, 1929.

y lUiviED STATES EDWARD P. HENRY AND ROLLA A.

TO WESTERN WHEELED SCRAPER COMPANY, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS, A

` TION 0F ILLINOIS.

MORTON, 0F LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNORS 'CORPORA- CCrRADIITGr ANDLOADING APPARATUS.

Application filed March 17, 1924. Serial No. 699,860.

. l. y n

Our invention relates to excavating apparatus for grading a roadwaypreparatory to subgrading for the paving of streets, and the loading ofa vehicle with 'the earth removed from the roadway during grading.

It is a purpose of our invention'to providea grading above describedcharacter which isl adapted for movement along a roadway, and whichoperates while traveling to loosen the earth for a predetermined depthand elevate the same'to a point where it can be discharged' into atruck.

It 1s also a purpose of our invention to provide a grading and loadingapparatus which f is designed to be drawn by a motor truck whichreceives the earth discharged from the apparatusfthus utilizing thepower, of the truck for moving the apparatus so that when the truck isfilled it can be disconnected from .the apparatus and a second truckconnected to continue the grading operation 'and' with it the loading ofthe second truck. In this manner a single apparatus is capable ofsuccessively loading a pluralityof trucks, and of utilizing the power ofthe trucks in moving the apparatus along a roadway.

A .further purpose of our inventibn resides in the provision of agrading and loading apparatus the transverse dimensionsof which are suchas to permit of its operating in narrow streets, alleys and highways orin any thoroughfare through which the truck drawing the apparatus iscapable of traveling.

Another purpose of our invention is to provide a. grading device adaptedto ybe set into Aoperation by forward movement of the apparatus, and adevice which is adjustable to occupy any desired position for grading toany predetermined depth, and to support `the weight of the apparatuswhen' necessary to insure proper operation of the device.

Further, our invention provides a pair of conveyors operating inconjunction with the grading devicev to elevate the earth loosened forthe purpose of loading a truck, the conveyors including a subsidiaryconveyor. which is flexibly supported to respond to roadway undulationsand thus prevent injury to the main conveyor andits support, yetmaintaining proper operative relation to the main conveyor and to thegrading device.

To will describe only one form of grad.-

and loading apparat-us of the ing and-loading apparatus embodying our linvention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figurel is a view showing in side elevation one'form of grading andloading apparatus embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing in side elevation theplow side of the apparatus shown in Figure '1;

Y Figure 3 is a View showing in rear end eleyation the apparatus shownin the preceding views;

F gure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

A Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the rear end of the apparatusshown in the preceding views;

Figure 6 is a sectional view ltaken on the line 6 6 of Figure l;

Figure 7 is a view, partly in section, showing the plowside of thesubsidiary conveyor comprised in the apparatus;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the lower end of 'the mainconveyor comprised in the apparatus;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view showing in side elevation the' lowerendof the main conveyor;

Figure l0 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of the yieldabl'econnection between the grading device comprised in the apparatus and themeans for adjusting the forward end of such device.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in-each of theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring specifically to the drawings. and particularly to Figure 1,our invention in its present' embodiment is shown as comprising avehicle chassis or frame C, of rectangular ing of the latter, and thismechanism includes Cil a steering wheel D arranged at one side of thevehicle, as clearly shown in Figure 1, and

vin advance of a seat F adapted to be occupied by one of the operatorsof the apparatus.

' Secured upon the forward'end of the chassis C is an arch A which isdesigned to pivotally support the main conveyorof the apparatusdesignated generally at`M.A This main conveyor comprises in the presentinstance spaced parallel beams 15, which are rigidly connected atregular spaced intervals along their lengthI by means of channel irons16. Also arranged at regular spaced intervals along thelength o 'f thebeams 15 are groups of rollers 17, which, as clearly shown in Figure 6,are vrotatably mounted inbrackets 18 secured to cross railsA 19. Therollers of each groupare arranged to produce' a concave supportingsurface over which an endy less belt 2O is adapted to move, the rollersserving to support thebelt in trough formationthroughout its carryinglength so that the earth deposited thereupon cannot scatter and spillover the sides but is held in a compact furrow to permit its beingelevated at a much greater angle than otherwise. This belt20 is trainedabout a'lower or driven roller 21 and an upper or driving roller 22, thelatter being adapted to effect continuous movement of the belt, with theupper stretch thereof moving upwardly over the groupsof rollers 17,while the low,`r -stretch moves downwardly over idlers 23 journaled inbrackets 24, as clearly shown in Figure 6.

The main conveyor as a unit is supported to normally occupy an inclinedposition as illustrated in Figure 1, so as to be capable of rocklngmovement to permit vertical adjustment of he lower end of the conveyor.To this end,

plates 25 are secured tothe confronting sides I Y deslgnates generally asubsidiary conveyor' of the beams 15, and jounaled in these plates arestub shafts 26 secured to the arch A. The

main conveyor is thus mounted to swirl about the stub shafts as acenter, and it w11 beI particularly noted that the mounting is inadvance of the medial point of the conveyor so that lt normally tends tooccupy an `inclined position.

For driving' the belt 2O of the main conveyor thel driving roller 22 isactuated by a conventional form of motor T suitably supported on thechassis and Aprovided with a vari-able speed transmission V which isopl22by an extensible connection 30% eratively connected to the drivingroller 22 by'means of shafts 27 and 28 connected to each otherby auniversal joint 29 lsupported on the arch A.v TheA other end of theshaft 27 is connected to the transmission V through a universal joint30, while the upper end-of the shaft 28 is connected' to the driving'Eller ese l shafts and joints ermit driving ofthe roller 22Airrespective o the position of the main conveyor M.

For the purpose of adjusting the lower end fof the conveyor M so that itmay occupy proper position with respect to a roadway, we provide a pairof chains 31 connected to the conveyor at their lower ends and to ashaft 32 at their upper ends. a This'shaft 32`.

is adapted to be rotated in either direction to wind on unwind thechains thereupon and to thereby raise or lower the lower end of theconveyor to the desired level. This shaft 32 'is provided With'a wormgear 33 (Figure which constantly -meshcs with a worm 34 As illustratedto advantage in Figures 1, 3 t

and 5, the lower end of the main conveyor M is provided with a hopper 38into which earth from a subsidiaryfconveyoris adapted to be dischargedon tothe endless/Ab hopper serves to guide the earth onto the belt andto prevent discharge of earth from the lower end of the belt. Guardrails 39 supported on brackets 40 (Figure 6) are arranged above and atthe opposite edges ofthe belt 20, which serve to confine the earth J thebelt, as will be understood.

As shown in Figures l and 9, the lower ends of theV side beams 15 of themain conveyor are tapered in width, and secured to' these vtaperedendsis a tie plate 41 to the lower end of which is secured a shoe 42. Thelower end of the plate 41, as well as ,the shoe 42, is curved so thatthe latter, when in engagement with the roadway, will'not impede theprogress of the apparatus and at `thesameftime will prevent wear of thebeams themselves. Referring 'now4 to Figures 3, 5 and 7, M

endless belt 46 which rotates in such .direction as to carry the earthupwardly of the conveyor, discharging the saine onto 'the main conveyor.The driving roller 45 is operatively lconnected to a vertical shaft 47through the medium of a Splined connection 48'wliich permits of thenecessary vertical elt 20. This The upon

izo

movement between the shaft and the roller without affecting the. drivingconnection between the two. v

` ries a wear plate The upper end of the vertical shaft 47 isioperatively connected to a horizontal shaft 49 (Figure 3) throughsuitable gearing and ,a universal joint 50, the latter serving to allo'wthe .necessary lateral shifting movement of the shaft 47 to permit therequired movement of the .subsidiary conveyor. The shaft 4). in turn, isd riveii from the transmission V through the third shaft 51, as showninl upon the belt during transit guard plates 53 extend upwardlyfrom-the opposite 'sides of the conveyor frame as clearly shown inFigure V7. The lower end of the conveyor frame is providedwith an anglebar 54 which car- 55 .adapted to have Contact with the roadway duringthe operation ot the apparatus. As shown in'Figure 5, the lower forwardside of the subsidiary conveyor is provided with a deflector plate 56which is designed to co-operate with the grading device in directingearth onto. the belt of the subsidiary conveyor. l

As the lower end of the subsidiary conveyor is adapted to havecontinuous engagement with the roadway', it is necessary that theconveyor be flexibly 'supported to respond to the undulations of theroadway and thus prevent injury to the conveyor and the associatedparts. and at the same time to 'maintain a definite relative positionwith respect to the main conveyor M. To this end we have provided thelmounting shown to advantage in Figures 7 8y and 9, which` in thepresent instance, comprises a strap iron-l 57 extending ,transverselyand upwardly. with respect to the lower end of the main conveyor. 'lheupper end of the strap 57 is connected to straps 58 and 59 which serveto rigidly support a pin 60 in definite position with rcspecct to themain conveyor.

vtoi-ined on the upper end of a strap 62 secured tothe main conveyor Mis disposed in longitudinal alineinent with the pin 60, as

indicated by the dot and dash lines in Figure t). The pin 61 extendsinto a slot 68 of a plate (S4 secured to the subsidiary conveyor frame48, as'clearly shown in Figure 7. The other pin 60 extends into a slot65 of a plate 66 on the. opposite edge of the subsidiary conveyor frame.y Y

lt is by means of these pin and slot connections just described that thesubsidiary conveyor M is capable of' limited longitudinal movementwithoutdisturbing the posit-ion of the main conveyor M. it beingremembered that. the subsidiary conveyor is free to move,

longitudinally by virtue of the splined'and universal connectionsbetween the driving upon a plate A second pin 61- roller and the shaftsfor actuating the latter. These pin and slot connections also serve toallow limited vertical movement of the lower end of the main conveyor Mwithout disturbing the relative position of theV subsidiary conveyor.

The grading device embodied in our apparatus is designed to plow theroadway to a predetermined depth, depending upon theA adjustment of thedevice, and under the travcling movement of the apparatus to elevate theearth plowed so that it may be depositedv upon the subsidiary conveyorM. rlhe device for accomplishing these functions comprises in thepresent embodiment a heavy duty plow having a blade 67 pointed at itsforward end and widened and curved inwardly at its rear end, as clearlyshown in Fig.

"ure 5, so as to direct the earth onto the belt of the subsidiaryconveyor. This plow blade is secured to an (arm 68 depending from abracket 69 secured to one of a pair of ch annel bars 7 O, constitutingthe plow beam. It will be noted that the forward edge of the arm 68 isrelatively sharp' to provide a cutting edge 68a for the purpose ofcutting the earth along the outer side of the furrow formed by the plow.arm 68 (Figure 2)' and connects the latter with a second arm 72depending from and interposed between the bars 70. A main supportingplate 7 3 depends from the plow beam .70 serves to support a gauge wheel74 arranged in advance of the plow 'blade and adapted to ride upon theroadway for partly regulating the depth of penetration of the.

This wheel 74 is supported 75 loosely itted between the channel bars andadapted to be adj ustably secured therebetween by in'caiis of a pin 76which can be extended through any one of a plurality of openings formedin the bars and plate. such that not only plow blade.

a vertical but a horizontal The Aarrangement of the openingsis A bar 71extends rearwardly from the andis secured to the bar 71 between theadiustment of the gauge wheel can be secured.

The plow blade 67 and its supporting means, although being capable ofvertical and horizontal ad'ustment. are adapted to be securely heldagainst longitudinal movement 'iii either direction, and to this end arod 78 is pivotally and adj ustably connected to a plate 79 securedbetween the channel bars 70, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The forwardend ot the'rod 78 is connected to a depending bracket 80 (Figure 1)through a turnbuckle 81 whereby proper tension may be exerted upon therod so that it will properly function to secure the plow anditssupporting means against rearward movement with respect to theapparatus. A chain 82 or its equivalent is connected to the rear ends ofthe beam 70 and to a bracket 83 depending from the chassis C. This chainmay also be adjusted so as to secure the plow and its supporting meansagainst forward movement with respect tol the apparatus.

' To effect vertical adjustment of the rear end of the plow and itssupporting means, and to positively hold the plow in juxtaposition tothe vehicle frame nd the auxiliary conveyor, we have providld asubstantially J-shaped beam or channel bar 84 which, as shown in Figure3,k is ar` anged transversely of the apparatus beneat the chassis C andwith its upper end pivotally connected to the chassis through the mediumof an I-strap `85 and a U-bolt 86. The lower end of the beam 84 is alsoprovided with an I-strap 87 through which extends a U-bolt 88 carried bya bracket 89 secured to the arm 72. This beam '84 is 20 adapted tobelowered or elevated through the medium of a connecting rod 90pivotally connected, as at 91, to the beam, and having a crankconnection 92 with agworm gear 93 fixed to a shaft 94. A worm 95 mesheswith 25 the. worm gear 93 and is fixed to a shaft 96 adapted to' -berotatedv by a hand wheel 97, whereby the gear 93 is rotated in onedirection or the other to lower or elevate the rod 90 to vary thevertical position of the beam 84. By virtue of the connection betweenthe plow supporting means and the beam 84 it will be clear that verticaladjustment of the latter will effect a corresponding vertical adjustmentof the rear end of the plow beam.

To effect vertical vadjustment of the forward end or point of theplow apressure or resilient connection designated generally at is pivotallyconnected to the plate 79 and to a crank arm 98 on one end of a' shaft99. The

shaft 99 is provided with a worm gear 100 meshing with a worm 101 fixedto an inclined shaft 102. The shaft 102 is also provided with a beveledpinion 103 which constantly meshes with a beveled ring gear 104 (Figure3) fixed to a hand wheel 105. The gear 104 and wheel 105 are looselymounted on 4the shaft 96 so that they can be rotated indel pendently ofthe shaft to effect rotation of the \shaft 102. With the rotation of theshaft 102 the crank arm 98 is rotated to lower or elevate theforward'end of the plow beam 70 through the medium .of the pressureconnection K.

The resilient connection K is designed for the purpose of exerting aconstant but yieldying pressure on the forward end of the plow beamtoassist in holding the gage wheel in firm contact with the groundtosecure an even depth offurrow, particularly when the 6o gage wheel andvehicle wheels are traveling -in different or uneven planes As shown inFigure 10 the connection K comprises arod 118 -provided at its lower endwith an eye 119 engaged by a U-bolt 120 for pivotally secur- 05 ing therod to the plate 79. The

rod 118 ismovable in a cylindrical sleeve 121 and is centered therein bymeans ofan enlargement 122 into which latter extends a screw y123movable in a slot 121a of the sleeve for preventing rotative movement ofthe rod in the sleeve. The upper end of the-rod 118 extends into asecond sleeve 124 fixedly secured inthe upper end of the sleeve 121. Aguide member 125 is secured within the sleeve 121 beneath the sleeve 124and slidably receives the rod 118. The upper end of the rod 118 isthreaded to receive nuts 126 which can be adjusted to limit the downwardmovement of the rod 118 by engaging the member 125. Upward movement ofthe rod is limited by a flange 126EL formed thereon and providing anabutment toy engage the lower end of the sleeve 121. The upper end-ofthe sleeve 124 receives a head 127 secured therein by means of a pin128, and this head carries a fork 129 which is pivotally connected tothe crank arm 98 through a pin 130.

The sleeve 121 is supported for vertical .movement by a brace rod 131(Figure 5) connected to one of the beams of the chassis and havingpivotal connection with a bracket 132 embracing the sleeve 121.

A spring 133 surrounds the rod 118 between the enlargement 122 and theguide 125 and operates to normally urge the rod downthe plow beam. Itwill be understood that the pressure exerted on the rod can be vvariedthrough an adjustment of the crank arm 98,

of the apparatus can be thrown onto the plow. I

By meansof the resilient connection K and the beam 84,` it will bemanifest that either end of the plow can be adjusted downwardly to suchan extent as "to actually lift one side of the vehicle and thus applythe weight of one side of the vehicle either to the point or to the heelof the plow, so that the plow point may be forced into the groundirrespective of the impenetrable character of the ground.

As previously stated, the grading device including the plow and itssupporting means v wardly to set up the desired pressureupon is alsocapable of lateral adjustment or side tilting for the purpose ofvaryingthe angle at which the plow point enters the earth when opening a newfurrow. The means for effecting this lateral adjustmentV comprises astrap 106 (Figures 2 and 3) secured to and extending upwardly from therear endy of the channel bar 70. A connecting rod`107 pivotally connectsthe upper end of the strap 106 with an operating lever 108 pivotedat'109 so as to effect longitudinal movement of the rod and a resultantlateral movement of the strap, whereby the position of the plow withrespect to a longitudinal vertical plane is lcapable of being varied.The lever 108 is adapted to be releasably secured in any adj ustedposition by means of a hand opera-ted pawl 110 engaging a rack 111.

To brace the subsidiary conveyor M and the beam 84 against rearwardmovement with respect to the vehicle chassis, while at the same time inno way hampering vertical or lateral adjustment thereof, rods 112 and113 are provided, the rod 112 pivotally connecting the plate 79 with theangle bar 54 (Figure 5), and the said rod 113 pivotally connecting thebracket 114 secured to the chassis C with the beam 84.

Referring again to Figure 3, we have shown a yoke 115 secured to theplow blade 07 and shaped as illustrated in Figure4, with a slottedI-bolt 116 movable on the vertical portion of the yoke and secured tothe angle bar 54. This connection causes the lower end of the subsidiaryconveyor to'move vertically with the plow when the latter is lifted, but

nevertheless allows the lower end of the subsidiary conveyor to movevertically without disturbing the position of t-he plow blade and itssupporting means, and the conveyor can thus respond to undulations inthe roadway, while the plow occupies a fixed position, withoutsubjecting the conveyor and its associated parts to undue stresses orstrains. It will be understood that the connection is such as torestrict the vertical movementvof the conveyor only suiliciently tomaintain the conveyor in earth receiving position with respect to theplow blade. This connection alsoI allows a limited longitudinal movementof the plow and its supporting means, which is necessary when verticallyadjusting one end or the other of the plow; otherwise the yoke 115 wouldbind within the I-bolt 116, and lock the plow against such adjustment.

As shown in Figure 1, a draft beam 134 is mounted on the forward endofthe chassis,

and carries a coupling device H,which can be operated to release acoupling pin of a motor truek'by operatlon of a lever L. The

coupling device is to form subject matter of the apparatus, and with theplow blade 67 lowered to penetrate the earth, forward movement of theplow will cause the earth to be loosened and moved rearwardly andupwardly of the plow blade, andfinally deposited on to the belt 46 ofthe subsidiary conveyor M. Before the apparatus is under way the beltsof the main and subsidiary conveyors are set into motion by propermanipulation of the transmission V, as will be understood. With thesebelts continuously moving, earth deposited upon the subsidiary conveyorbelt will be carried upwardly of the conveyor and deposited onto thebelt of the main conveyor. The earth deposited upon the main conveyor iscarried upwardly and finally discharged from the upper end of theconveyor into the body of the motor truck.' f

After the truck is loaded it is disconnected from the'apparatus and asecond truck con. nected to the latter so that upon continued movementof the/apparatus a loading of the second truck can be efected. In thismanner any number of motor trucks can be successively loaded with theapparatus, utilizing the power of each truck to the extent of haulingthe grading. device or plow.

Although we have. herein shown and described only one form of gradingand load- 'ing apparatus embodying our invention, it

is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be madeherein without departing from the spirit of the. invention and thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A grader and loader comprising' a vei hicle, a p-lowadjustablycarried on the vehi-A cle for removing earth" from a roadway, a mainconveyor adjustably rsustained on the vehicle, and a subsidiary conveyormovably supported on the vehicle and connected with the plow so that itslower end will move vertically with the plow and may engage the groundand move vertically without disturbing` the position of the plow inresponse to undulations of the ground, said plow being constructed andarranged to discharge the plowed earth vlaterally on to said4 subsidiaryconveyor, said latter conveyor discharging the removed earth to saidmain conveyor.

2. A gradingand loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plow dependingfrom the vehicle, an inclined main conveyor extending longitudinally ofand pivoted on the vehicle, Aand asub-sidiary conveyor on and extendingtransversely of the vehicle, said subsidiary conveyor being mounted'forlongitudinal,

vertical and pivotal movements. 3. In a grading and loading apparatus, a

vehicle, a plow ,depending from saidl vehicle,

Cil

conveyor, and having a connection with the main conveyor which permitsfreedom ofmovement ot' the two conveyors independently of each other'while maintaining a definite relation between the two.

4. In a grading and loading apparatus, a vehicle, a main conveyormounted on the vehicle to normally occupy an inclined position, and asubsidiary conveyor at an angle to the lower end ofthe main conveyor andnormally occupying an inclined position with its lower end adapted tocontact with a roadway, said subsidiary conveyor being mounted to permitits lower end to move vertically and the e11- tire conveyor to movelongitudinally.

5. A. grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, al plowsustained on the vehicle to move vertically and laterally, means formoving to and securing the plow in any position which it is capable ofoccupying, a main conveyor fulcrumed between its ends to permit verticalrocking movement thereof, and a subsidiary conveyor having a connectionwith the main conveyorwhich permits freedom of movement of the twoconveyors independently\.of each other while maintaining a definiterelation between the two.

` 6. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plowsustained on the vehicle to move vertically and laterally, means formoving to and securing the plow in any position which it is capable ofoccupying, a l

vmain conveyor mounted on the vehicle to normally `occupy an inclinedposition, and a subsidiary conveyor at an angle to the lower end of themain conveyor and normally `occupying an inclined position withits lowerend adapted to contact with a roadway, said subsidiary conveyor beingmounted to permit its lower end to move vertically and the entireconveyor tomove longitudinally.

.7. In a grading and loading apparatus, a vehicle, a plow mounted on thevehicle for universal adjustment, a main conveyor pivoted on thevehicle, and a subsidiary conveyor for conveying earth from the plow tothe main conveyor, both of said conveyors being adapted to contact witha roadway, said subsidiary conveyor being mounted torespondtovundulations in the roadway independently of the plow and mainconveyor.

8. In a grading andloading apparatus, a vehicle, a plow mounted on .thevehicle for vertical adjustment, a main conveyor adjustably mounted onthe vehicle so as .to respond to the undulations in the roadway, and asubfsidiary conveyor having contact with the roadway and mounted on themain conveyor to move with the latter and to respond to the undulationsinthe roadway and independently of the m'ain conveyor.l l

9. In combination, a vehicle, and a conveyor pivoted `on the vehicle soas to occupy an inclined position, with one end adapted to contact witha roadway and free to respond to.

undulations of the roadway, a second conveyor arrangedat an angle to thelower end of the first conveyor, said'second conveyor having one end'abovthe lower end of the first 'conveyor and the other end in contactwith ceive'the dirt from said plow and to convey the same forwardly fordumping into a truck in advance of the grading and loading vehicle andmeans supporting the plow at one side of the vehicle,.said 4supportingmeans being adjustably adapted to serve as a rigid strut between thevehicle and plow whereby the cle, a plow, conveying means arranged toreweight ot one side of the vehicle can be applied to or removed fromeither the point or the heel of the plow.

l1. In combination, a vehicle, a plow, and means for supporting theplowat one side of the vehicle and in adjustable relation thereto, saidmeans including a yielding pressure connection adjustable to vary thepressure exerted by the connection on the plow and to provide a rigidconnection when in certain positions. I

12. In combination, al vehicle, a plow, and means foradjustablysupporting the plow on the vehicle, said means including ayielding pressure' connection adjustable vto'vary the, pressure exertedby the connection on the plow and to provide a rigid connection whenA incertain positions. 13. In a grading and loading machine, theycombination o f a vehicle, a plow, and means for supporting the plow atone'sideof the vehicle and in adjustable relation thereto, said meansincluding controlling devices. actuatable by the operator while themachine is in operation whereby the' weight of onew llli lside of thevehicle can be applied controllably to the point or heel of the plow.

14. In a grading and loading apparatus,

the combination of a `main conveyor, a subsidiary conveyor pivotally andslidably connected to the main conveyor, a plow connected to 4thesubsidiary conveyor for limited lmovement longitudinally andtransversely of plow, means for vertically adjustingwthen plow, and aconnection between lthe plow to vertical adjustment of the plow andadapted to receive earth elevated by the plow, and means for connectingthe conveyor to the plow so that the conveyor will occupy a definiteearth receiving position with respect to the plow irrespective of theadjustment of the latter. j

19. Ina grading and loading apparatus, a main conveyor supported forpivotal movement, a subsidiary conveyor pivotally and slidably connectedto the main conveyor, and a plow connected to the subsidiary conveyorfor limited movement longitudinally and transversely of the subsidiaryconveyor.

20. In a grading `and loading apparatus, amain conveyor supported forpivotal movement, subsidiary conveyor pivotally and yprising a vehicle,a plowsustained onthe veslidably connected to the main conveyor, a plowconnected to the subsidiary conveyor for limited movement longitudinallyand transversely of the subsidiary conveyor, and means for adjusting theplow, including a beam mounted for pivotal movement and hingedlyconnected to the plow.

21. In a grading and loading apparatus, a mainconveyor, a subsidiaryconveyor, a plow, a connection between the conveyors for' maintainingthe two in operativ-e relation `but allowing limited independentmovement of cach, and a connection between the plow and subsidiarylconveyor by which the two are maintained in operative engagement butfree to move independently of each other.

22. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plowsustained on the vehicle to move vertically and laterally, means formovingsaid plow to different positions and for securing it inthesepositions, a main conveyor fulcrumed to the vehicle to .permitvertical pivotal movement thereof,

and a subsidiary conveyor havingV a connection withthe main conveyorwhich permits freedom of movement of the two conveyors independently ofeach other while maintaining a definite relation between the two.

23. A grading and loading apparatus comhicle, means for moving said plowto' different positions 'and for securing it in these positions, a mainconveyor supported on the vehicle, anda subsidiary conveyor having aconnection withfthe" main` conveyor which permits relative movementbetween the two conveyors while maintaining a definite relation betweenthe two.

24. A grading and prising a vehicle, a yplow loadingy apparatuscomsustamed on the vehicle, means for moving said plow to dif-v ferentpositions, and for securing it in these positions, a main conveyorpivotally connected to the vehicle to permit pivotal movement of theconveyor, and a subsidiary conveyor' having a connection with the mainconveyor which permits freedom of movement of the two conveyorsindependently of each other while maintaining a definite relationbetween the two.

25. In a grading and loading apparatus, a vehicle, a plow mounted on thevehicle for vertical adjustment, a laterally extending conveyorsupported for vertical movement to respond to vertical adjustment of theplow and adapted to receive earth elevated by the plow, a secondaryconveyor receivingthe Iearth from said laterally extending conveyor andmeans for connecting the laterally eX- tending conveyor to the plow sothat said conveyor will occupy a definite earth receiving position withrespect to the plow irrespective of the adjustment of the latter.

26. In a grading and loading apparatus, a vehicle, a plow mounted on.the vehicle for vertical adjustment, a laterally extending conveyorsupported for vertical movement to respond to vertical adjustment of theplow and adapted to receive earth elevated by the plow, a forwardlyextending conveyor adapted to receive the earth from said laterally eX-tending conveyor, one of said conveyors being adjustable and the otherconveyor moving therewith in such adjustment and means for connectingthe laterally extendng conveyor to the plow so that said conveyor willbe maintained in definite earth receiving p of y sition with respect tothe plow irrespective of the adjusting movement of the plow or of theconveyors.

.27. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plowsustained on the vehicle, means for moving said plow to differentpositions,` a main conveyor movably supported on said vehicle, asubsidiary conveyor flexibly supported on said vehicle for yieldingcontact with the ground independently of movement of the plow, means formaintaining said subsidiary conveyor in earth receiving positionrelative to said plow through a predetermined adjusting range of saidplow, and means for maintaining said main and subsidiary conveyors indefinite rearth transferring relation while permitting vertical pivotalmovement thereof, and a subsidiary conveyor supported on said vehiclefor limited'longitudinal movement for maintaining a .definite relationbetween said two conveyors, said subsidiary conveyor transferring theearth from said grading means to said main conveyor.

30. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, vehicle forvertically adjustable movement, a conveyor extending transversely of thevehicle, and means connecting said plow with said conveyor, saidconnecting means causing upward movement of the lower end of saidconveyor plow, but permitting upward movement of the lower end of saidconveyor independently of said plow. 1

31. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plowadjustably supported on said vehicle for vertical movement, a conveyorextending transversely. of saidvehicle with its lower end in earthreceiving position relative to said plow, and means for connecting saidplow to the lower end of said conveyor, saidmeans causing the lower endof said conveyor to rise with the upward movement of said plow, butpermitting upward movement ofthe lower end of said conveyor-independently of said plow.

32. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plow, meanssupporting the plow at one side of the vehicle, said supporting meansbeing adjustably adapted to serve as afrigid strut between the vehicleand plow whereby the weight of one side of the vvehicle can be appliedto or removed from the plow, a conveyor mova'bly supported on thevehicle with one end "in earth receiving position relative to said plow,and means for connecting said plow to said conveyor, said means causingupward movement ofsaid conveyor with the upward movement of said plow,but permitting upwardv movement of said conveyor independently of saidplow.

33. A grading and loading apparatus coniprising a vehicle, a main'conveyor pivotally supported -on said vehicle for vertical pivotalmovement, a subsidiary conveyor extending substantially transversely ofsaid main oonveyor and adapted to discharge earth at one end thereof tosaid main conveyor, and means or connecting thel latter end of said subaplow supported on the with upward movement of said j sidiary conveyor tothe adjacent portion of Said main conveyor, said means comprising aslotted connection for maintaining said conveyors in predeterminedoperative relation duringsthe adjustment of one of said conveyors. l

34. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plow adjustably supported on said vehicle, a subsidiary "conveyor movablysupported on said vehicle and adapted to receive earth from said plow,said subsidiary conveyor having one end normally resting on the ground,and a main-'conveyor adapted to ,receive earth from said subsidiaryconveyor and extending longitudinally of said vehicle.

35. A grading and loading apparatus comprising a vehicle, a plow.mounted on said vehicle, a main conveyor mounted on said vehicle, a suearth from said plow and transferring it to said main conveyor, saidsubsidiary conveyor being movably supported on the vehicle, a shaft fortransmitting a. power drive to said subsidiary conveyor, and aneXtensible connection in saidy shaft for permitting movement of. saidsubsidiary conveyor.

36. A grading and loading -machine comprising a wheeled vehicle frame, aplow comprising a plow beam, a conveyor extending longitudinally of thevehicle frame for discharging into a secondary vehicle at one end ofsaid grading and loading machine, means for transferring the earth fromsaid plow to said conveyor, ing thel p-low beam tosaid vehicle framewhereby the weight of the vehicle may be utilized to force either end ofthe plow` down into the ground.

37. A grading and loading machine comprising a wheeled vehicle frame, aplow comprising a plow beam, a main conveyor extending longitudinally ofsaid vehicle frame sidiary conveyor for receiving 1 and means adjiistably connecti for discharging into a secondary vehicle movv ing inadvance of said grading and loading machine, a subsidiary conveyorextending transversely 'of said vehicle frame` for transi ferring theearth from said plow to said main conveyor, depth adjusting meansadjustably connecting the rear portion of said plow beam to said vehicleframe and operative to utilize the weight of the. vehicle for forcingthe heel portion of the plow down into the ground, and separate depthadjusting means adjust-ably connecting the front portion of `chine, asubsidiary conveyor eXtendingtrans- A' toe portion of the plow Verselyof said vehicle frame for transferring the earth from said plow to saidmain conveyor, depth adjusting means connecting the rear portion of saidplow beam to said vehicle frame and actuatable from the operatorsposition while the machine is in operation for imposing a portion of theweight of' the vehicle on the heel portion of said plow, andindependently operating depth adjusting means connecting the frontportion of the plow beam to said vehicle frame and@ actuatable fromthe'drivers position while the machine is in operation for imposing theweight of the vehicle on the toe portion of said plow. 39. A grading andloading machine comprising a vehicle, a plow adjustable on the vehiclefor removing earth from a roadway,

'a main conveyor adjustable on the vehicle and extending forwardlythereof for discharging into a secondary vehicle in front of saidgrading and loading machine, a subsidiary conveyor adjustable on andextending transversely of said grading and loading vehicle, and meansfor driving said conveyors irrespective of their adjusted positions.

40. A grading and loading machine comprising a vehicle, a plow dependingfrom and extending lengthwise of the vehicle, a main conveyor pivoted onthe vehicle for adjustment about a'horizontal axis and extendingparallel to the plow and forwardly of said' vehicle for dumping into asecondary vehicle in front of said grading and loading machine,

and a subsidiary conveyor on said grading and loading vehicle disposedsubstantially at right angles to the plow and main conveyor fortransferring the earth from said plow to said main conveyor.

41. A grading and loading machine com- 40 vehicle, and a subsidiaryconveyor extending transverselybf the vehicle and arranged to transferthe earth from said plow to said main conveyor, said subsidiary conveyorbeing mounted for movement bodily independently of the main conveyor.

EDWARD P. HENRY. ROLLA A. MORTON.

